Polygraph - RationalWiki Polygraph Leonarde Keeler, one of the inventors of the polygraph, testing his polygraph on a subject Style over substance v - t - e A polygraph is a machine, or a test using said machine, which measures the changes in a person's body, such as pulse, breathing rate, and skin temperature. It is used as a lie detection test. It is based on the principle that when lying, one will become nervous and have an increased pulse and need for air. Contents 9 References [ edit ] Validity of a polygraph The polygraphy works by measuring some physiological responses to questions. The method involves establishing a "baseline" by measuring a subject's responses to certain undramatic and nonthreatening questions. Following this, the interview will take place and the measurements will be compared with this baseline. So from the method alone, it can be seen that the polygraph isn't so much a "lie detector" (as it is commonly portrayed) but just a system to measure someone's emotional state — the theory is that if someone lies, their emotional state will change. The method alone should suggest how people can produce false results or intentionally game the system in their favour.

Sociopaths , for example, have a nervous system that responds differently: when they lie, they remain as cool as the proverbial cucumber. [1] One in twenty-five people are sociopaths. [1] However, the ubiquity of the "lie detector" means that it has been thoroughly studied, and rarely (even when used properly by trained individuals) produces favourable results. Many pieces of research show that either a polygraph is not a valid tool for use in courts, [2] or that the validity is unmeasureable. [3] In 2002 the American Academy of Sciences called the Polygraph "a danger to national security" [4] , while John T Capiocco's Handbook of Psychophysiology states that "no spy has ever been identified as a result of a polygraph test" [5] [ edit ] Ways a polygraph test can give wrong results If the simple act of taking a polygraph test makes a subject nervous then it will be difficult for the "baseline" to be established. This makes the readings during the real section of the interview almost impossible and this leads to "inconclusive" results.

Although inconclusive results should be taken as just that, inconclusive, and therefore should be ignored, they may be interpreted as a sign of guilt — as supposedly honest and innocent people shouldn't be fearful of lie detector tests. However, this is wrong; the situation of taking "lie detector" tests is harrowing for many. Indeed, an honest person who is aware of the limitations of a polygraph may be even more nervous, since they may have a strong fear of false positives, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy. If a particular question makes the subject nervous, even as they give the correct, or honest, response, the test will give a "false" reading. In fact, one televised use of the polygraph for demonstration purposes showed the strongest reaction to the interviewer saying "now I'm going to ask you an intimate and personal question", although a question of that nature was never asked, the mere thought of a harassing question sent the measurements quite wild. It is important to note that most effects that cause the polygraph to be unreliable are invariant of whether a person is innocent or guilty, lying or telling the truth, intentionally trying to produce haphazard results or not.

[ edit ] Ways to "cheat" on a polygraph test There are a few ways a polygraph can be "cheated". Not all of them intentional. If the subject doesn't realize they aren't telling the truth If the subject doesn't naturally become nervous when lying (alternatively, becoming naturally nervous at everything works too: that corrupts the baseline) If the subject trains to remain calm while lying If the subject simulates the physiological signals of lying when the questioner is establishing the baseline. The last two are important as people can, and do, learn to do this knowing that they may be subject to a polygraph at some point. Before the actual questioning session begins, the polygraph technician leads the subject through a "pre-test" session. During this session, the technician asks the subject to answer a set of questions. The subject is asked to answer some questions truthfully, then lie when answering other questions. The technician then adjusts the polygraph to compensate for certain nervous reactions that the subject may have. Therefore intentionally cheating usually involves basically fooling around with this "pre-test" session.

To reduce the polygraph's reaction to nervousness — or lying — all the subject has to do is increase his/her nervousness during the truthful-answers portion of the pre-test. Among the more popular methods are: Bite the side of your tongue Tightly curl your toes Count backwards from 10 to 1 Flex the anal sphincter [6] The subject must wait until the technician asks the question before doing any of these. [7] [ edit ] Polygraph Technician Training About 15 weeks, with regular reclassification seminars. Just Google "Polygraph Training" and you'll find many training programs. [ edit ] Use of polygraphs in a court of law Currently, there is no Supreme Court ruling of the admissibility of a polygraph for all cases. However, in Frye vs. the United States, the Supreme Court upheld a ruling denying the use of a polygraph as evidence in the case of Frye. The ruling included these words: "Just when a scientific principle or discovery crosses the line between the experimental and demonstrable stages is difficult to define.

Somewhere in this twilight zone the evidential force of the principle must be recognized, and while courts will go a long way in admitting expert testimony deduced from a well-recognized scientific principle or discovery, the thing from which the deduction is made must be sufficiently established to have gained general acceptance in the particular field in which it belongs." [8] However this ruling is from 1923. In the United Kingdom and in Ontario , Canada , polygraph evidence is inadmissible in a criminal court. Polygraph tests are inadmissible in most U.S. states in criminal prosecutions; some allow their admission if both the prosecution and the defense agree to it. [9] [ edit ] Use of polygraphs in popular entertainment The entertainment industry is run by people who will believe almost anything [10] for people who will believe almost anything [11] and even when they don't, many of them prefer entertainment over truth in their fiction. So naturally, the polygraph is a popular device on television, on stage, and in the movies.

With the exception of police procedurals that portray the use of polygraphs, [12] some of the more famous examples of polygraphs in entertainment are: [ edit ] "Nada más que la verdad", a.k.a. "The Moment of Truth" Nada más que la verdad [13] ("Nothing But the Truth") was a Colombian TV game show series created by American TV producer Howard Schultz, owner of the ironically named production company "Lighthearted Entertainment." As of 2009, versions of this show have been produced in at least 46 countries. Currently, it is the most notorious of all "entertainments" that use polygraphs. The game consists of a contestant who is connected to a polygraph and asked a minimum of fifty yes-or-no questions. The contestant is then brought onstage. Nearby are three or four of the contestant's friends and/or family members. Twenty-one of the questions from backstage are again asked of the contestant. If any of the questions are deemed to be too sensitive by one of the contestant's friends or family, they can hit a button that prevents the contestant from answering. This option can only be used once for each contestant.

A replacement question, which may be even more sensitive, is then asked in its place. If the onstage answer matches the "true" answer from the backstage polygraph, the contestant is allowed to go on or quit. If the onstage answer is considered "false" [14] when compared to the backstage polygraph, the contestant loses the game and loses any money "earned" up to that point. There have been many controversies connected to this show. The original Colombian version was cancelled when a woman was asked if she had hired a hit man to kill her husband. When she answered "yes," her husband fled. The American version, titled The Moment of Truth, [15] ran on Fox [16] during 2008 and 2009. While nobody admitted to anything as spectacular as a murder-for-hire plot, there were other questionable instances. One contestant lost when his "no" answer to the question "When you were a male model, did you stuff your underwear?" was deemed false. His look of utter shock may have been the most honest moment of the series. Another contestant had been accused by his ex-wife of gambling away his son's college fund.

[17] He "truthfully" denied stealing his son's college fund. When he and his son embraced, his son said something (barely audible) to the effect of how he knew he shouldn't have believed his mother. [18] Another contestant admitted to having affairs in front of her husband, who was present onstage. While many pundits and social critics focused on the effect this had on her husband, [19] they seemed to ignore what was happening to her father, who was also present onstage. Some of the questions she answered seemed designed to extract revenge on her father, [20] not her husband. [21] She was eventually tripped up when her "yes" answer to the question "Do you think you're a good person?" was deemed "untruthful." According to host Mark L. Walberg, the episode barely got the OK to air. [22] This was the most-discussed episode of the U.S. series. Only a few of the contestants successfully completed the third tier ($100,000 level) of the U.S. show. Only one contestant completed the fourth tier ($200,000).

Nobody made it to the fifth tier ($350,000) or sixth and final tier ($500,000). [23] Jeez, what gives?! Even Who Wants to be a Millionaire? has given away a million now and then! The Polygraph Exam more commonly known as ‘lie detector test’ - Polygraph Testing Contact The Polygraph Exam is the correct term for the more commonly known title ‘lie detector test’ A polygraph exam (or lie detector test) uses an instrument (commonly referred to as the lie detector) that monitors and records various changes in the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems while a series of carefully designed questions is asked of the person who is attached to the instrument. The Polygraph Examiner is the qualified person conducting the exam, while the Examinee is the term used for the test participant. Our polygraph examiners only use and operate polygraph equipment, which fully complies with the APA and BEPA requirements.

This equipment is capable of continuously recording: Thoracic and abdominal movement associated with respiration Changes in electro-dermal status consequent to the activity of the sweat glands Cardiovascular activity relating to changes in pulse rate and blood pressure It also includes a separate data channel specifically designed to record covert body movements A polygraph exam (or lie detector test) can take anywhere between 90 minutes and 3 hours to complete (the average being around 2 hours). The longest part of the process is the pre-test interview which takes on average 45 – 60 minutes. We are committed to providing a world class service to our clients and all examinees will be treated with the utmost respect and dignity. Design of Examinations The following is an overview of the different phases involved in a Polygraph exam.

Pre-Test phase: Examinee to sign Consent forms Overview of polygraph process Pre-test questions relating to purpose for taking the test Any admissions with responses fully documented Key questions explained to examinee until they are comfortable Test Phase: Polygraph equipment attached to examinee’s body Acquaintance test to familiarise examinee with procedure Actual test with no more than four relevant questions Polygraph equipment removed from examinee’s body Post-Test Phase: Analysis of Polygraph charts If the examiner has rendered an opinion of Deception Indicated (DI) or Significant Responses (SR) further questions will be asked Post-test interview Examination Report Whatever the outcome of the examination, a full written report will be issued for each examinee. These written reports will be sent to the client within 24 hours (1 working day) of the final exam being conducted. The report will contain all pertinent information derived from the polygraph exam. Affordable Lie Detector & Polygraph Testing conducted throughout the UK. Lie Detector Investigations are a UK based, independent Polygraph & Lie Detector Company. Providing a professional & highly confidential service in Truth Verification, with over a decade of experience.

SPECIAL OFFER Book a Lie Detector Test on our selected dates to save over 15% on the cost of a standard test. VIEW OFFER Lie Detector Investigations are leaders in Polygraph testing in the UK, offering a bespoke, discreet and seamless Polygraph/Lie Detection Service. Our professional Polygraph Examiners are fully qualified and experienced. We can therefore assure you every test conducted is treated in a highly confidential and professional manner. Lie Detector Investigations specialise in detecting deception through the use of The Polygraph, otherwise more commonly known as "The Lie Detector" to both private and corporate clientele. "Do you need to prove your innocence? Do you feel you are being lied to? Have you been accused of theft and need to clear your name? Do you require our pre-employement screening services for your organisation?" Then look no further, Lie Detector Investigations can help you uncover the truth! For more information on the corporate and private services Lie Detector Investigations offer, please see our services page. Members of The British Polygraph Association, The American Polygraph Association and The International Society of Polygraph Examiners. Our Polygraph Examiners are graduates of The APA (The American Polygraph Association) accredited academies.

Governed by the American Polygraph Association and The British Polygraph Association, Lie Detector Investigations are compliant, respectful and adhere to our professional code of ethics. For more information, call us free on 03301 239212 , or simply complete our enquiry form. The History and Basic Facts of Polygraph — PolygraphExaminer.com Home / Uncategorized / The History and Basic Facts of Polygraph The History and Basic Facts of Polygraph Comments are Disabled The history of civilization is filled with attempts to detect lies and to verify the truth. During the 18th century some methods of detection included the Ordeal of Boiling Water. In this test the subject would stick his hand in a pot of boiling water and if his hand did not suffer a burn, he was believed to be telling the truth. Not too many people passed that test! There was another very similar test called the Ordeal of the Red-Hot Stones. Like the first ordeal this was a lie test to see if God was on your side and without His divine help you would have never passed this test. You would walk across red-hot stones and if your feet did not burn, you were believed to be telling the truth.

No one really passed these tests because they rarely gave them to innocent people. As time marched on and man made improvements in his lie detection, he based the lie test on pure chance. For instance, truth or lack of truth might be determined by a throw of a knife, or the pattern of a handful of tossed stones. As most of you might have guessed these methods were neither reliable nor scientific but at least they were a little more humane. An Italian criminologist, Cesare Lombroso, developed the earliest scientific approach. In 1895 he conducted experiments in the detection of deception by attempting to record changes in the subject’s blood pressure with a device called “Lombroso’s Glove.” Unfortunately, his main interest was in criminal identification through physical characteristics and he never had the time to continue with his experiments in lie detection. Later another Italian named Mosso conducted further investigations of blood-volume changes during deception tests by using a crude device known as “Mosso’s Cradle”. Around the beginning of the First World War another Italian, Vittorio Benumbs, conducted experiments in lie detection with a device that measured and recorded the rate and depth of the subject’s respiration.

These experiments convinced him that changes take place in the respiratory pattern when a person attempted to lie or deceive. These same beliefs hold true even today with modern polygraph examiners. In 1932 a Russian, A. R. Luria, made an important contribution. He wrote that a criminal trying to conceal his guiltiness grows more and more tense and thus finds it harder and harder to remain passive under questioning. Also during World War I the United States Government commissioned a psychologist, Dr. William M. Marston, to devise a method for the questioning of prisoners of war. Using a sphygmomanometer, a device physicians use to take a patient’s blood pressure, he conducted experiments by taking intermittent readings of the blood pressure during questioning. In 1921 the Berkeley, California Police Department encouraged Dr. John A. Larson, a psychiatrist, to develop what became the forerunner of the modern-day polygraph. The instrument made the first permanent record of blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. This original polygraph was used for many years by the Berkeley Police Department and enabled Dr. Larson to identify correctly many hundreds of criminals, as well as thousands of innocent persons who would have been suspected of crimes.

Leonard Keeler, a psychologist, became interested in the technique and developed his own instrument which had the added feature of measuring changes in the skin’s resistance to electricity, commonly known as “galvanic skin response.” Keeler is generally recognized as the father of the modern-day polygraph. He combined three important components that are still used today even though through modern electronics these components are now greatly enhanced. These three things are the pneumograph, cardiograph and the galvanic skin response. Some of the more modern machines have added other electronic devices but Keeler’s three main components are contained in the present-day polygraph instrument. The first major case dealing with the use of polygraph in criminal cases was tried in 1923. This case set a precedent in polygraph. In Frye vs. United States the court ruled that polygraph was inadmissible based on the general acceptance rule of scientific reliability. The Frye case involved a man accused of murder. Even though Frye claimed that he was innocent, a jury found him guilty. Before his trial Frye was given a polygraph. A researcher by the name of Marston gave the opinion that Frye was telling the truth.

Marston used blood pressure changes as indicators for truthful or deceptive responses. After serving about three years of his prison sentence another man confessed to the murder and Frye was released. July 1981 brought a legal change involving polygraph. Prior to July 1981, stipulation between prosecution and defense was a vehicle for the admittance of Polygraph. However, the July 1981 ruling disallowed that stipulation. At present, only a statement (confession) is admissible at trial level. Law enforcement agencies today utilize polygraph as an investigative tool. WHO IS USING THE POLYGRAPH? Today, every major law enforcement agency, every state police organization, and every large and middle size city police department has a polygraph operation. While many small cities and rural sheriff’s offices also have examiners, others depend on state assistance. Public defenders’ offices are often staffed with examiners, as are states attorney’s offices and other agencies in the criminal justice system. In the Federal Government, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the United States Secret Service, Customs, and similar agencies regularly use the polygraph.

The divisions involved in criminal investigations and intelligence of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps use the polygraph, as do the major intelligence agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency. The polygraph is not confined to the United States. It is regularly used by law enforcement agencies in Canada, Japan and Israel, and to a lesser extent by law enforcement agencies in more than twenty other nations. In addition to its role in law enforcement and intelligence, the polygraph plays a significant role in the security of industry. Over 26% of the major companies in the United States now use polygraph. However they must not comply with the American Polygraph Protection Act and now restrictions do apply. The pre-screening of applicants and the use of polygraph for discovering the source of specific thefts are common, particularly among those industries that are particularly susceptible to thefts by employees. Drug manufacturers, distributors, and handlers annually suffer huge losses to organized crime. The trucking and warehousing industries also pass on to the consumers the excessive losses from theft and pilfering. Polygraph screening is also employed to protect the public from unfit airline pilots and others whose skill and well-being involves public safety.

Examiners who are employees of the company or agency or by companies and individuals who specialize in polygraph service may conduct polygraph examinations in industry and public service. Polygraph is now being use in the treatment of sexual offenders to help keep us safe from sexual criminals. THE EXAMINATION Theory of Polygraph Psychological Theory of a lie: Emotional changes occur in a person causing physiological changes that can be recognized and diagnosed. Psychological Set . . . A person’s fears, anxieties and apprehensions are focused (directed) to the areas that hold (Poses)the greatest threat to his well being or self. Psychology of Test Questions The test is structured so as to pose a threat to the security of both the innocent and guilty subject and force him/her to focus (direct) his/her attention to that specific area of the test. **Fear is the greatest psychological factor – Fear of being detected of an untruth. The administration of the polygraph examination requires the monitoring of the physiological changes that occur during the process of the examination. Three specific physical factors are measured: Respiration System Components called pneumographs, rubber convoluted tubes, record respiration. They are attached around the examinee’s waist and chest.

As the person breathes, these tubes stretch and contract, causing pressure changes within the tubes. Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) GSR is electrical in nature. Metal contacts are attached to two of the examinee’s fingers. They record apparent changes in skin resistance to electricity. Emotional sweat glands, faradic skin, become active as a result of arousal/stress (skin acts as resistance factor). Cardiovascular System The cardio activity is monitored by the use of a blood pressure cuff similar to the type used in the medical profession. It is generally fastened to the upper arm to monitor changes in relative blood pressure and pulse rate. There are three phases to a polygraph examination: Pretest, Chart Collection, and Post-test. Pre-test The pre-test examination is probably the single most important part of any polygraph test. The person to be tested in most cases is apprehensive or fearful. He may be upset at being suspected of wrong doing, nervous, angry and suspicious. Thoughts of inaccuracy of the instrument or whether or not the examiner will be fair are not the exception. During the pre-test, the examiner attempts to build a rapport with the examinee. It is an information gathering session.

The information is of a personal and factual nature and reflects the examinee’s entire past and present. It is essential for the examiner to feel like he “knows” the person he is to examine and for the examinee to feel that he is to be tested fairly. Additionally, no examination will be given unless it is voluntary. Forms relating to the voluntary, waiver (civil litigation) and Miranda are signed before the per-test begins. It is necessary for the individual to understand the concept of polygraph and what he/she is about to experience. The more thorough the examiner explains the theory of polygraph and convinces the individual of the procedure and effectiveness, the better the test. He/she must be convinced that “the polygraph works”. If he is innocent, he will be found innocent if he is guilty, he will be found guilty. It is necessary to explain to the examinee how physiological responses give an indication of truthfulness or deception. To the examinee: ”let’s imagine that you are in a hallway having idle conversation and someone steps around the corner and fires a gun. You are immediately threatened. Certain things happen to you physically.

Your heart may feel like it’s in your throat, or it’s going to pound out of your chest, you can hardly breathe, you feel warm all over. What is happening to you is physiology that you can’t control. All these things occur in an involuntary manner. You are in fear for your well-being and are prepared to either fight or take flight. That same situation happens in a polygraph setting. The threat is not the gun but the threat of being detected of intentionally lying. There is a gun inside of you, cocked and loaded, that goes off and simultaneously causes the same physiological changes to occur that occurred in the hall. You can’t prevent them from happening now anymore than you could before. The polygraph will record those changes. The examiner will know when those changes occur.” It is also necessary for the examiner to know the case facts. Prior to actual introduction of the person to be examined, he has gone over the case in great detail with the investigator the examiner lets the individual tell his side of the story or reason for taking the polygraph. Points of clarification are made so that there is a mutual understanding of what the examinee is trying to convey to the examiner.

The examiner must always remember that this is an interview process and NOT AN INTERROGATION. At this point, the examiner chooses which type of test is best suited for that individual and circumstances of the Case. TYPES OF TESTS There are only two types of tests, Comparison and Non comparison tests and there are several variations to both types. TYPES OF QUESTIONS Control Symptomatic Test questions are formulated by the examiner and completely reviewed with the examinee. The examinee must know and completely understand each question. He/she is also advised that these questions and only these questions will be asked during the course of the examination. Basically, there are three types of questions. There are those questions (irrelevant) designed to establish a normal tracing average of responses during the test. They have little or no intensity to them. There are questions relevant to the issue or incident for which the polygraph test is being administered. There are control questions. Control questions are designed to be somewhat vague or ambiguous and create doubt in the examinee’s mind as to the truthfulness of his answers. Instructions are given to the examinee as to how the actual examination will proceed. Chart Collection Chart collection is the actual polygraph examination.

The formulated and reviewed questions are asked a minimum of two (2) complete times. Normally, three (3) complete charts are obtained. A “Stimulation test” may also be given to monitor subject’s response capabilities. Post-test During Post-test, the examiner makes an analysis, most the time after the examinee leaves or if time permits while the examinee waits, of physiological responses and determines whether the responses indicate truthfulness or deception. Each question and response activity to that question is evaluated. A comparison is made to other questions and that response activity, i.e., Relevant vs. Irrelevant, Relevant vs. Control. A computer algorithm and a numerical scoring system are often applied for evaluation purposes. The examiner then renders an opinion. That opinion either is truthful, deceptive or inconclusive. An inconclusive opinion is given when the examiner cannot determine from the responses whether the person is truthful or deceptive. Responses are either distorted, non-responsive, or over-responsive to all quest ions – in these cases a reexamination is normally suggested. Post-test also includes an interrogation period should the examinee indicate deception (If requested by the client). Should a statement (confession) be obtained, that statement could be used against the examinee in a criminal or administrative proceeding.

The results of the examination are then given in oral and report form to the requester of the polygraph examination. References Abrams, S. and Ansley, N. The Polygraph Profession, 1980.Potvin, Robert. Unpublished paper on Introduction to Polygraph 1983. Jack Trimarco Polygraph Services - FAQ Jack Trimarco Polygraph Services Are the results and information confidential? Should I take a polygraph examination? Any consideration of polygraph testing should begin with the realization that polygraph examinations are a serious matter. They are not a game or something to experience, just to say you did it. Therefore, you should understand why it is that you are taking the examination, as well as how the outcome will affect you. In the United States, there are two primary reasons a person would be asked to take a polygraph exam. Many organizations utilize the polygraph as part of an investigation regarding some specific event. (Notice that we say “part of”. The polygraph is used as an investigative or forensic tool. Seldom is it or should it be the entire investigation.) The majority of federal, state and municipal law enforcement agencies in the United States use polygraph to support investigation of criminal matters.

A suspect or person of interest, who denies involvement in the matter under investigation, may be asked to take a polygraph examination as a means of assessing his or her denials. A witness or informant may be asked to submit to a polygraph for the purpose of assessing the information he or she has provided. In some cases, even a victim of crime may be asked to demonstrate veracity to prevent the wrongful prosecution of an innocent person. In addition to law enforcement agencies, many businesses such as insurance companies, auditing firms and financial institutions utilize the polygraph as an investigative tool. Because attorneys regularly deal with controversial matters, they often turn to the polygraph to assist their efforts, too. The second common use of the polygraph is in the support of security and personnel screening programs. Many law enforcement agencies such as municipal police departments, state police and federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Secret Service utilize the polygraph as a component of their personnel screening process. The objective is to enhance the probability that the individuals selected for these positions of trust will be of high integrity. Many agencies of the United States Intelligence community utilize polygraph testing as one component in their security clearance process. Some include the polygraph as part of the initial selection methods.

Others use it as part of ongoing security maintenance, and some use it for both purposes. Each type of examination, the specific investigation and the screening exam, has different characteristics and features. The potential impact on the examinee is also very different. Therefore, if you consider taking a polygraph examination, you should understand the type of exam you will be administered and the possible impact on your personal circumstances. In some cases a person may receive a positive benefit from the examination, while in other circumstances the potential negative impact can be very significant. A person should know how the polygraph examination is likely to affect them before she or he agrees to undergo the process. This means an individual should have a good idea as to the issue(s) or subject matter of the exam. The person should assess his or her ability and willingness to be thorough and truthful regarding the issue(s) of the exam. Suppose a law enforcement agency asked you to submit to a polygraph examination because you are a suspect or person of interest in a particular crime. The APA encourages citizens to cooperate with law enforcement agencies. However, be aware that if you are involved in the matter under investigation and have concealed that fact from investigators, your deception will almost certainly be identified.

If you have committed the crime you might want to seek legal counsel before proceeding with the polygraph. If you have not been involved in the matter under investigation, there probably are very strong reasons for you to proceed with the examination. Nevertheless, it is wise to confirm the issue(s) of the exam in advance. It is also a good idea to obtain some assurances as to how the polygraph results will be utilized. Will truthful results significantly lower you on the suspect list? What is the benefit or payoff to you for the time and effort of submitting to the exam? Similar questions should be addressed with entities such as an employer or an insurance company that might request that you submit to polygraph testing. If your attorney is advising that you take the polygraph examination, you probably do not need to concern yourself with such issues. Generally, it is the responsibility of legal counsel to ensure your interests are protected. However, you should have an understanding as to the primary issue of the exam so you can review the matter with your counsel in advance. You may also be offered a polygraph examination in relation to a job application or federal security clearance. Such exams are referred to as screening exams. Screening exams are different in several ways from the specific issue exam.

First, screening exams address several issues as opposed to a specific matter of investigation. Secondly, the issues of a screening exam tend to be broad in scope and cover a variety of possible activities. For example, a law enforcement agency may use the exam to address issues such as major thefts/fraud, physical abuse of others, and illegal drug use. If you decide to submit to the screening polygraph examination, you are encouraged to consider to the following advice. First be aware that exams may be long (3-4 hours). It is very important that you remain alert and involved for the entire session. So, prior to the exam get a good night’s sleep and arrive well rested for the procedure. Be sure to eat a meal, and take care of personal affairs so you won’t have any outside distractions during the time of your examination. If you are using a medication, adhere to your normal practice and physician’s advice. Most medications are used to maintain an individual’s good health, which is desirable for polygraph testing. Expect to experience some nervousness: this is normal for everyone. Contrary to a common misperception, nervousness and anxiety will not cause a person to “fail” the test.

Moreover, truthful examinees generally report that they become much less nervous as the examination proceeds. Back to top What is a polygraph? The term "polygraph" or commonly known as a “Lie Detector” literally means "many writings." The name refers to the manner in which selected physiological activities are simultaneously recorded. Polygraph examiners may use computerized polygraph instruments. It is important to understand what a polygraph examination entails. A polygraph instrument will collect physiological data from at least three systems in the human body. Convoluted rubber tubes that are placed over the examinee's chest and abdominal area will record respiratory activity. Two small metal plates, attached to the fingers, will record sweat gland activity, and a blood pressure cuff, or similar device will record cardiovascular activity. A typical polygraph examination will include a period referred to as a pre-test, a chart collection phase and a test data analysis phase. In the pre-test, the polygraph examiner will complete required paperwork and talk with the examinee about the test. During this period, the examiner will discuss the questions to be asked and familiarize the examinee with the testing procedure. During the chart collection phase, the examiner will administer and collect a number of polygraph charts.

Following this, the examiner will analyze the charts and render an opinion as to the truthfulness of the person taking the test. The examiner, when appropriate, will offer the examinee an opportunity to explain physiological responses in relation to one or more questions asked during the test. It is important to note that a polygraph does not include the analysis of physiology associated with the voice. Instruments that claim to record voice stress are not polygraphs and have not been shown to have scientific support. Who uses polygraphs examinations? Three sectors of society use polygraph examinations for various reasons and purposes. 1. Private Sector Individuals, Families, Therapists and Employers use polygraph examinations to verify statements and find out the truth on a variety of issues including infidelity, drug use, addictions, sex offenses, employee theft, criminal activities, abuse and all other matters. 2. Legal Community Polygraph is used extensively by attorneys who wish to provide the best possible defense for their clients. Most attorneys will submit their own clients to the exam, while others will use the polygraph to verify statements made by witnesses and other parties to litigation. Now known as Psycho physiological Detection of Deception (PDD), an experienced examiner can provide evidence in connection with any type of criminal or civil matter.

Our examiners have a great deal of experience working with attorneys, both in private and government practice, and have aided thousands of clients in preparing defenses that would otherwise have been unavailable to them. With the recent establishment of polygraph standards by ASTM, polygraph has gained great strides in credibility with the scientific community. These standards, approved by a combined body of experts, now provide a template for the increased acceptability of polygraph results. Contrary to popular belief, polygraph is not per-se inadmissible in court proceedings. Admissibility standards are different in each jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions allow polygraph evidence, either stipulated or un-stipulated, some prohibit polygraph evidence altogether, and many others allow the judge to decide admissibility on a case-by-case basis. The Daubert case is presently the standard for the admission of scientific evidence, which includes polygraph. In reality, most polygraph results are used outside of the courtroom in pre-trial negotiations, plea bargaining, sentence recommendations, and witness verification or impeachment. 3. Law Enforcement, Federal Agencies, Military and Government Local Police, U.S.

Military Branches and Government Agencies such as the FBI, CIA, NSA and Department of Defense all use polygraph examinations for applicant screenings, criminal investigations and matters of national security. Back to top What if the person has a medical condition? A polygraph exam does not cause any direct injury to the person being tested. The only discomfort is a standard blood pressure cuff which goes on the arm (typically) and is inflated for less than five minutes at a time. There are increased stress levels during the testing process which should be considered. Some medical conditions are sensitive to increased stress levels, such as some heart conditions. Depending on the medical condition, most examiners would require an approval from the treating physician prior to conducting an exam on someone with such a condition. Back to top How accurate is the polygraph? U.S. Government studies have concluded that the single-issue (one question) polygraph exam, conducted properly by a qualified examiner, is 87 to 95 percent accurate. It is the most accurate tool available today for determining truth or deception. Accuracy of the multi-question exam drops to around 80 percent due to a number of psychological factors.

These statistics do not include "inconclusive" results in which no opinion can be made from the polygraph charts, which happens about 20% of the time. While the polygraph technique is not infallible, research clearly indicates that when administered by a competent examiner, the polygraph test is one of the most accurate means available to determine truth and deception. For an excellent review of the research involving validity and reliability, including pre-employment screening, see: The Accuracy and Utility; of Polygraph Testing. (1984) Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Defense, 1984. Complete reprints may be purchased from the APA National Office. Back to top Can a person fail a polygraph because of high blood pressure or nervousness? No. Polygraph is not designed to record or measure nervousness. While a person's heart beat and respiration rate may increase when he or she is nervous, a qualified examiner understands this, and will take it into consideration when evaluating an examinee's response. Unlike general nervous tension, an examinee's reaction to deceptive responses is highly specific.

An examiner mitigates a nervous response by reviewing the questions with the examinee and through an acquaintance or “practice test” prior to the exam. Back to top Can someone beat the test? The polygraph works by recording changes in a person's Sympathetic Nervous System, part of the Autonomic Nervous System, which operates independently of conscious thought. For example, your lungs and heart continue to operate even when you are asleep - you don't have to think about it. These systems can be consciously controlled only very slightly, and attempts to change these systems are usually picked up by the examiners, who are trained to identify such things. It is highly unlikely that someone can alter the outcome of a polygraph exam, but it is not impossible. A verified accuracy rate as high as 95% attests to this fact. Back to top Is the polygraph admissible in court? Federal courts have ruled that polygraph is NOT per-se inadmissible in a court procedure, but that it may be considered when standard rules of scientific evidence have been met. In other words, applicants must apply to the judge for admissibility under the "Daubert" standard of evidence on a case-by-case basis.

Individual judges can still decline to accept polygraph results, however. Each jurisdiction must be checked to determine admissibility standards. One of the greatest fears keeping polygraph evidence out of courts is the fact that such evidence would carry greater weight than other equally-important evidence and would tend to sway a jury in one direction even though other evidence may point the other way. In most cases, polygraph evidence is used during pre-trial negotiations and plea bargain agreements rather than during the trial itself. On December 23, 2014 an Order was issued via United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division Case No. 8:14-cr-379-T-36TGW. United States of America v. Jesus Hernando Angulo Mosquera. The Order requested an evidentiary hearing regarding the admissibility of polygraph evidence. After considering the motion the court ruled to permit the polygraph evidence at trial. Back to top What does it mean when someone "fails" a polygraph? When a polygraph examiner concludes that deception is indicated to one or more of the subject's answers, the subject is said to have "failed" the exam.

Deception is indicated when the person's autonomic nervous system displays a significant and repetitive "defensive" reaction to the relevant test question. Although this reaction in itself is not a "lie," years of research have found that 90-95% of persons who display this reaction were either lying to the relevant questions or were withholding pertinent information relating to these question. Frequently, an examiner will conclude only that "the subject can not be excluded as a suspect" when deceptive reactions are present. It is important to note that some persons will "fail" a polygraph even though they are telling the literal truth but continue to hold back pertinent or incriminating information from the examiner. We strongly suggest that no one make a life-altering decision based solely on the results of a "failed" polygraph test without the existence of additional evidence supporting this test result. Back to top What legislation dictates polygraph? Licensing - Currently there are 29 states and 3 counties which have laws requiring licensure or certification for polygraph examiners. Most laws require formal instruction, an internship training period and successful completion of a licensing examination.

For example, the following are basic requirements for licensure in one state: A person is qualified to receive a license as an examiner: (a) Who establishes that he or she is a person of good moral character; and, (b) Who has passed an examination conducted by the Licensing Committee, or under its supervision, to determine his or her competency to obtain a license to practice as an examiner and, (c) Who has conferred upon him or her an academic degree, at the baccalaureate level, from an accredited college or university; and, (d) Who has satisfactorily completed 6 months of study in the detection of deception, as prescribed by rule. Back to top Are the results and information confidential? Jack Trimarco & Associates Service adheres to very strict confidentiality and privacy standards. All information from an examination is kept strictly confidential and private. polygraph - lie detector - The Skeptic's Dictionary - Skepdic.com z polygraph ("lie detector") "I don't know anything about lie detectors other than they scare the hell out of people." --Richard Nixon "For federal agencies, the polygraph is a way to get around discrimination laws.

There is virtually no appeal you can make if you are failed by a federal polygrapher. The polygraph is a license to abuse power." --Robert Todd Carroll In ancient China (circa 1000 BCE), suspected liars had to chew rice powder and spit it out. If the powder was dry the suspect was deemed a liar because, it was thought, lying increases fear and saliva flow decreases in response to fear (Vrij). During the Inquisition, suspected liars were made to chew bread and cheese. If they choked on the meal--due to a dry throat caused by fear--it might be their last (Segrave). The idea of a physiological response to lying being detected by a simple test is an old one and seems barbaric and primitive to us. Add a few electrical wires and some technical-sounding jargon and the idea of detecting a lie by physiological response becomes "scientific." A polygraph is an instrument that simultaneously records changes in physiological processes such as heartbeat, blood pressure, respiration and electrical resistance (galvanic skin response or GSR). The polygraph is used as a lie detector by police departments, the FBI, the CIA, federal and state governments, and numerous private agencies.

The underlying theory of the polygraph is that when people lie they also get measurably nervous about lying. The heartbeat increases, blood pressure goes up, breathing rhythms change, perspiration increases, etc. A baseline for these physiological characteristics is established by asking the subject questions whose answers the investigator knows. Deviation from the baseline for truthfulness is taken as sign of lying. There are three basic approaches to the polygraph test: The Control Question Test (CQT). This test compares the physiological response to relevant questions about the crime with the response to questions relating to possible prior misdeeds. "This test is often used to determine whether certain criminal suspects should be prosecuted or classified as uninvolved in the crime" (American Psychological Association). The Directed Lie Test (DLT). This test tries to detect lying by comparing physiological responses when the subject is told to deliberately lie to responses when they tell the truth. The Guilty Knowledge Test (GKT). This test compares physiological responses to multiple-choice type questions about the crime, one choice of which contains information only the crime investigators and the criminal would know about.

Psychologists do not think either the CQT or the DLT is scientifically sound, but a majority surveyed by the American Psychological Association think that the Guilty Knowledge Test is based on sound scientific theory and consider it "a promising forensic tool." However, they "would not advocate its admissibility [in court] in the absence of additional research with real-life criminal cases." One major problem with this test is that it has no controls. Also, unless the investigators have several pieces of insider information to use in their questioning, they run the risk of making a hasty conclusion based on just one or two "deviant" responses. There may be many reasons why a subject would select the "insider" choice to a question. Furthermore, not responding differently to the "insider" choices for several questions should not be taken as proof the subject is innocent. He or she may be a sociopath, a psychopath, or simply a good liar. Is there any evidence that the polygraph is really able to detect lies? The machine measures changes in blood pressure, pulse, and respiration rate. When a person lies it is assumed that these physiological changes occur in such a way that a trained expert can detect whether the person is lying.

Is there a scientific formula or law which establishes a regular correlation between such physiological changes and lying? No. Is there any scientific evidence that polygraph experts can detect lies using their machine at a significantly better rate than non-experts using other methods? No. There are no machines and no experts that can detect with a high degree of accuracy when people, selected randomly, are lying and when they are telling the truth. Some people, such as Senator Orrin Hatch, don't trust the polygraph machine, even if used by an expert like Paul Minor who trained FBI agents in their use. Anita Hill passed a polygraph test administered by Minor who declared she was telling the truth about Clarence Thomas. Hatch declared that someone with a delusional disorder could pass the test if the liar really thought she was telling the truth. Hatch may be right, but the ability of sociopaths and the deluded to pass a polygraph test is not the reason such machines cannot accurately detect lies with accuracy any greater than other methods of lie detection. The reason the polygraph is not a lie detector is that what it measures--changes in heartbeat, blood pressure, and respiration--can be caused by many things.

Nervousness, anger, sadness, embarrassment, and fear can all be causal factors in altering one's heart rate, blood pressure, or respiration rate. Having to go to the bathroom can also be causative. There are also a number of medical conditions such as colds, headaches, constipation, or neurological and muscular problems which can cause the physiological changes measured by the polygraph. The claim that an expert can tell when the changes are due to a lie and when they are due to other factors has never been proven. Even if the device measures nervousness, one cannot be sure that the cause of the nervousness is fear of being caught in a lie. Some people may fear that the machine will indicate they are lying when they are telling the truth and that they will be falsely accused of lying. Furthermore, even the most ardent advocate of the polygraph must admit that liars can sometimes pass their tests. One need only remember the spy Aldrich Ames , who passed the polygraph test several times while with the CIA. This lesson was lost on the FBI, however, who started requiring polygraph tests of its employees after spy Robert Hanssen was caught. Heretofore, the FBI had only used the polygraph on suspected criminals.

Apparently, the FBI thinks that they could have prevented Hanssen's betrayal if only he had been made to take the polygraph. In California and many other states, the results of polygraph tests are inadmissible as evidence in a court of law. This may because polygraph tests are known to be unreliable, or it may be because what little benefit may be derived from using the polygraph is far outweighed by the potential for significant abuse by the police. The test can easily be used to invade a person's privacy or to issue a high-tech browbeating of suspects. Skeptics consider evidence from polygraphs no more reliable than testimony evoked under hypnosis , which is also not allowed in a court of law in California and many other states. Also, in 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court argued that Military Rule of Evidence 707, which makes polygraph evidence inadmissible in court-martial proceedings, does not unconstitutionally abridge the right of accused members of the military to present a defense (United States, Petitioner v. Edward G. Scheffer).

The American Civil Liberties Union strongly supported the passage of the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (EPPA) which outlaws the use of the polygraph "for the purpose of rendering a diagnostic opinion regarding the honesty or dishonesty of an individual." The EPPA doesn't outlaw the polygraph across the board, however. Federal, state and local governments can still use the polygraph. The federal government can give polygraph tests to government contractors involved in national security projects. In the private sector, security and pharmaceutical firms can still use the polygraph on current or prospective employees. Furthermore, any employer can administer polygraph tests ...in connection with an ongoing investigation of an economic loss or injury to his/her business on these conditions: The employee under suspicion must have had access to the property, and the employer must state in writing the basis for a reasonable suspicion that the employee was guilty (ACLU). The ACLU supported the EPPA not only because of the lack of evidence for the accuracy of the polygraph, but because of abuses related with its administration, including, but not limited to, the invasion of privacy.

For example, in order to establish "normal" physiological reactions of the person being tested, "lie detector" examiners ask questions that purposely embarrass, frighten and humiliate workers. An ACLU lawsuit in l987 revealed that state employees in North Carolina were routinely asked to answer such questions as "When was the last time you unintentionally exposed yourself after drinking?" and "Who was the last child that got you sexy?" Polygraphs have been used by unscrupulous employers to harass union organizers and whistle-blowers, to coerce employees into "confessing" infractions they did not commit, and to falsely implicate fellow employees (ACLU). Why would so many government and law enforcement agencies, and so many private sector employers, want to use the polygraph if the scientific community is not generally convinced of their validity? Is it just wishful thinking ? Do the users of the polygraph want to believe there is a quick and dirty test to determine who's lying and who's not, so they blind themselves to the lack of evidence? Perhaps, but there are other factors as well, such as the esoteric technology factor. The polygraph machine looks like a sophisticated, space- age device of modern technology.

It can be administered correctly only by experts trained in its arcane ways. Non-experts are at the mercy of the high-tech, specially trained wizards who alone can deliver the prize: a decision as to who is lying and who is not. Another reason for the polygraph's popularity is the pragmatic fallacy factor: it works! Case after case can be used to exemplify that the polygraph works. There are the cases of those who failed the test and whose lying was corroborated by other evidence. There are the cases of those who, seeing they are failing the test, suddenly confess. What is the evidence that the rate of correct identification of lying corroborated by extrinsic evidence is greater than the rate of identification of lying by non-technological means? There isn't any. The proofs are anecdotal or based on fallacious reasoning such as thinking that a correlation proves a causal connection. On the other hand, it is possible that one of the main reasons so many government, law enforcement and private sector employers want to use polygraphs is that they think the test will frighten away liars and cheats who are seeking jobs, or it will frighten confessions out of those accused of wrongdoing.

In other words, the users of the machine don't really believe it can detect lies, but they know that the people they administer it to think the machine can catch them in a lie. So, the result is the same as if the test really worked: they don't hire the liar/cheat and they catch the dishonest employee. See also e-meter and ideomotor effect . Michael Shermer Tests the Polygraph further reading Polygraph Professionals | Fresno, California What is a polygraph test? The term "polygraph" or commonly known as a "Lie Detector" literally means "many writings." The name refers to the manner in which selected physiological activities are simultaneously recorded. Polygraph examiners may use conventional instruments, sometimes referred to as analog instruments, or computerized polygraph instruments. It is important to understand what a polygraph examination entails. A polygraph instrument will collect physiological data from at least three systems in the human body. Convoluted rubber tubes that are placed over the examinee's chest and abdominal area will record respiratory activity. Two small metal plates, attached to the fingers, will record sweat gland activity, and a blood pressure cuff, or similar device will record cardiovascular activity.

A typical polygraph examination will include a period referred to as a pre-test, a chart collection phase and a test data analysis phase. In the pre-test, the polygraph examiner will complete required paperwork and talk with the examinee about the test. During this period, the examiner will discuss the questions to be asked and familiarize the examinee with the testing procedure. During the chart collection phase, the examiner will administer and collect a number of polygraph charts. Following this, the examiner will analyze the charts and render an opinion as to the truthfulness of the person taking the test. The examiner, when appropriate, will offer the examinee an opportunity to explain physiological responses in relation to one or more questions asked during the test. It is important to note that a polygraph does not include the analysis of physiology associated with the voice. Instruments that claim to record voice stress are not polygraphs and have not been shown to have scientific support. How does the polygraph work? The polygraph works by tracing changes in a person's physiological conditioning during questioning. These changes are recorded directly onto the polygraph charts in order for them to be reviewed.

These physiological changes have been the subject of various research projects and our examiners have undertaken many hours of polygraph chart analysis instruction to interpret them. The Polygraph charts are generated by attaching four components to the subject. Should I take a polygraph examination? Any consideration of polygraph testing should begin with the realization that polygraph examinations are a serious matter. They are not a game or something to experience, just to say you did it. Therefore, you should understand why it is that you are taking the examination, as well as how the outcome will affect you. In the United States, there are two primary reasons a person would be asked to take a polygraph exam. Many organizations utilize the polygraph as part of an investigation regarding some specific event. (Notice that we say "part of". The polygraph is used as an investigative or forensic tool. Seldom is it or should it be the entire investigation.) The majority of federal, state and municipal law enforcement agencies in the United States use polygraph to support investigation of criminal matters. A suspect or person of interest, who denies involvement in the matter under investigation, may be asked to take a polygraph examination as a means of assessing his or her denials.

A witness or informant may be asked to submit to a polygraph for the purpose of assessing the information he or she has provided. In some cases, even a victim of crime may be asked to demonstrate veracity to prevent the wrongful prosecution of an innocent person. In addition to law enforcement agencies, many businesses such as insurance companies, auditing firms and financial institutions utilize the polygraph as an investigative tool. Because attorneys regularly deal with controversial matters, they often turn to the polygraph to assist their efforts. The second common use of the polygraph is in the support of security and personnel screening programs. Many law enforcement agencies such as municipal police departments, state police and federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Secret Service utilize the polygraph as a component of their personnel screening process. The objective is to enhance the probability that the individuals selected for these positions of trust will be of high integrity. Many agencies of the United States Intelligence community utilize polygraph testing as one component in their security clearance process. Some include the polygraph as part of the initial selection methods. Others use it as part of ongoing security maintenance, and some use it for both purposes. Each type of examination, the specific investigation and the screening exam, has different characteristics and features.

The potential impact on the examinee is also very different. Therefore, if you consider taking a polygraph examination, you should understand the type of exam you will be administered and the possible impact on your personal circumstances. In some cases a person may receive a positive benefit from the examination, while in other circumstances the potential negative impact can be very significant. A person should know how the polygraph examination is likely to affect them before she or he agrees to undergo the process. This means an individual should have a good idea as to the issue(s) or subject matter of the exam. The person should assess his or her ability and willingness to be thorough and truthful regarding the issue(s) of the exam. Suppose a law enforcement agency asked you to submit to a polygraph examination because you are a suspect or person of interest in a particular crime. The APA encourages citizens to cooperate with law enforcement agencies. However, be aware that if you are involved in the matter under investigation and have concealed that fact from investigators, your deception will almost certainly be identified. If you have committed the crime you might want to seek legal counsel before proceeding with the polygraph. If you have not been involved in the matter under investigation, there probably are very strong reasons for you to proceed with the examination.

Nevertheless, it is wise to confirm the issue(s) of the exam in advance. It is also a good idea to obtain some assurances as to how the polygraph results will be utilized. Will truthful results significantly lower you on the suspect list? What is the benefit or payoff to you for the time and effort of submitting to the exam? Similar questions should be addressed with entities such as an employer or an insurance company that might request that you submit to polygraph testing. If your attorney is advising that you take the polygraph examination, you probably do not need to concern yourself with such issues. Generally, it is the responsibility of legal counsel to ensure your interests are protected. However, you should have an understanding as to the primary issue of the exam so you can review the matter with your counsel in advance. You may also be offered a polygraph examination in relation to a job application or federal security clearance. Such exams are referred to as screening exams. Screening exams are different in several ways from the specific issue exam. First, screening exams address several issues as opposed to a specific matter of investigation. Secondly, the issues of a screening exam tend to be broad in scope and cover a variety of possible activities.

For example, a law enforcement agency may use the exam to address issues such as major thefts/fraud, physical abuse of others, and illegal drug use. If you decide to submit to the screening polygraph examination, you are encouraged to consider to the following advice. First be aware that exams may be long (2-3 hours). It is very important that you remain alert and involved for the entire session. So, prior to the exam get a good night's sleep and arrive well rested for the procedure. Be sure to eat a meal, and take care of personal affairs so you won't have any outside distractions during the time of your examination. If you are using a medication, adhere to your normal practice and physician's advice. Most medications are used to maintain an individual's good health, which is desirable for polygraph testing. Expect to experience some nervousness: this is normal for everyone. Contrary to a common misperception, nervousness and anxiety will not cause a person to "fail" the test. Moreover, truthful examinees generally report that they become much less nervous as the examination proceeds. The polygraph examiner will begin the session with a detailed explanation of the procedure, followed by a discussion of the examination issue(s).

This discussion period is very important. You should be certain that you understand exactly what the polygraph examiner is asking of you. If the examiner does not explain issues to your complete understanding, tell the examiner and request further explanation. In responding to examiner's inquiries be as accurate and thorough as you are able. If you are uncertain about a topic, make that clear to the examiner. After the discussion the testing phase will begin. The examiner will start by attaching non-intrusive sensors to your body for measuring physiological activity. Before the testing commences, the examiner will review with you each test question. Listen carefully to ensure that you understand the questions and are able to respond fully with a simple "Yes" or "No". The examiner will also give you instructions for taking the examination: sit motionless and in an upright yet relaxed position; do not become rigid or stiff; do not try to do anything to help the examiner or to alter your body's normal activity. You should remember that you must completely cooperate with the examination process for it to go well for you. Disregarding the examiner's instructions may cause the examination to go longer, and is likely to be included in the examiner's report.

Unfortunately, some truthful persons make the mistake of trying to manipulate or influence the recordings. These strategies are sometimes recommended by websites and books to help produce a favorable polygraph result, but in reality it is bad advice. Think of it this way: if a person is seeking a job that demands honesty and integrity, what conclusion would a hiring department or agency have of a candidate who tries to cheat on one of its selection processes? Many, perhaps most, deceptive examinees attempt to manipulate or defeat the polygraph examination. Unlike truthful candidates, they have nothing to lose. And, except under some narrow circumstances, their efforts are ineffectual and often even facilitate the identification of their lies. A truthful examinee who uses the same strategies, however, risks being misidentified as a liar trying to conceal his deception. This does not serve the interests of the truthful examinee, who may be disqualified for trying to manipulate the test, nor of the employer who might miss the opportunity to hire a qualified candidate. Pre-test interview & formulation of questions During the pre-test interview the examiner will explain how the polygraph works, discuss the issue and develop and review all questions to be asked on the polygraph test.

This stage is normally the longest to complete, and can take anywhere between 45 to 90 minutes. Will I know the questions to be asked on the polygraph examination? Yes! The examiner will construct questions from the information given regarding the test issue. The questions will be reviewed with the examinee before testing begins. All questions should meet strict rules for the latest polygraph techniques to ensure test accuracy. All questions are discussed with the examinee thoroughly before the test commences and will be answered with a "yes" or "no" answer only. How accurate is polygraph testing? U.S. Government studies have concluded that the single-issue polygraph exam, conducted properly by a qualified examiner, is 87 to 95 percent accurate. It is the most accurate tool available today for determining truth or deception. Accuracy of the multi-question exam drops to around 80 percent due to a number of psychological factors. These statistics do not include "inconclusive" results in which no opinion can be made from the polygraph charts, which happens about 20% of the time.

While the polygraph technique is not infallible, research clearly indicates that when administered by a competent examiner, the polygraph test is one of the most accurate means available to determine truth and deception. For an excellent review of the research involving validity and reliability, including pre-employment screening, see: The Accuracy and Utility; of Polygraph Testing. (1984) Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Defense, 1984. Complete reprints may be purchased from the APA National Office. Can a person fail a polygraph because of high blood pressure or nervousness? No. Polygraph is not designed to record or measure nervousness. While a person's heart beat and respiration rate may increase when he or she is nervous, a qualified examiner understands this, and will take it into consideration when evaluating an examinee's response. Unlike general nervous tension, an examinee's reaction to deceptive responses is highly specific. An examiner mitigates a nervous response by reviewing the questions with the examinee and through an acquaintance or "practice test" prior to the exam. Can someone beat the test?

The polygraph works by recording changes in a person's Sympathetic Nervous System, part of the Autonomic Nervous System, which operates independently of conscious thought. For example, your lungs and heart continue to operate even when you are asleep - you don't have to think about it. These systems can be consciously controlled only very slightly, and attempts to change these systems are usually picked up by the examiners, who are trained to identify such things. It is highly unlikely that someone can alter the outcome of a polygraph exam, but it is not impossible. A verified accuracy rate as high as 95% attests to this fact. What if the person has a medical condition? A polygraph exam does not cause any direct injury to the person being tested. The only discomfort is a standard blood pressure cuff which goes on the arm (typically) and is inflated for less than five minutes at a time. There are increased stress levels during the testing process which should be considered. Some medical conditions are sensitive to increased stress levels, such as some heart conditions. Depending on the medical condition, most examiners would require an approval from the treating physician prior to conducting an exam on someone with such a condition. Is the polygraph admissible in court?

Federal courts have ruled that polygraph is NOT per-se inadmissible in a court procedure, but that it may be considered when standard rules of scientific evidence have been met. In other words, applicants must apply to the judge for admissibility under the "Daubert" standard of evidence on a case-by-case basis. Individual judges can still decline to accept polygraph results, however. Each jurisdiction must be checked to determine admissibility standards. One of the greatest fears keeping polygraph evidence out of courts is the fact that such evidence would carry greater weight than other equally-important evidence and would tend to sway a jury in one direction even though other evidence may point the other way. In most cases, polygraph evidence is used during pre-trial negotiations and plea bargain agreements rather than during the trial itself. What does it mean when someone "fails" a polygraph? When a polygraph examiner concludes that deception is indicated to one or more of the subject's answers, the subject is said to have "failed" the exam. Deception is indicated when the person's autonomic nervous system displays a significant and repetitive "defensive" reaction to the relevant test question.

Although this reaction in itself is not a "lie," years of research have found that 90-95% of persons who display this reaction were either lying to the relevant questions or were withholding pertinent information relating to these question. Frequently, an examiner will conclude only that "the subject can not be excluded as a suspect" when deceptive reactions are present. It is important to note that some persons will "fail" a polygraph even though they are telling the literal truth but continue to hold back pertinent or incriminating information from the examiner. We strongly suggest that no one make a life-altering decision based solely on the results of a "failed" polygraph test without the existence of additional evidence supporting this test result. What legislation dictates polygraph? Licensing - Currently there are 29 states and 3 counties which have laws requiring licensure or certification for polygraph examiners. Most laws require formal instruction, an internship training period and successful completion of a licensing examination.

For example, the following are basic requirements for licensure in one state: A person is qualified to receive a license as an examiner: Who establishes that he or she is a person of good moral character; and, Who has passed an examination conducted by the Licensing Committee, or under its supervision to determine his or her competency to obtain a license to practice as an examiner and Who has conferred upon him or her an academic degree, at the baccalaureate level, from an accredited college or university; and, Who has satisfactorily completed 6 months of study in the detection of deception, as prescribed by rule Polygraph? Polygraph? Polygraph? Why take or request a Polygraph? A Polygraph Examination, commonly known as a lie detector test, can be requested for a variety of reasons, and the goal of each polygraph examination is to help determine whether the Examinee is truthful concerning the specific questions of the polygraph test or whether he/she appears to be withholding from or adding to the Truth, which is generally referred to as a Lie. It is not always possible for people to know whether one is being truthful or not, and for that reason, a polygraph test can be a very useful tool in identifying the TRUTH.

Who uses Polygraph? The Polygraph Examination can be used in many different instances and for various purposes that include but may not be limited to the following: Pre-employment - Federal, state, and local applicants that may include Law Enforcement/Fire and Rescue/Correctional officers/ and some private companies ( Polygraph regulations ). Economic Loss/Business Issues - Those suspected of fraud, theft, harrassment, etc. ( Polygraph regulations ). Internal Affairs Attorneys and their clients regarding all criminal matters Domestic Issues - Family members, spouses, girlfriends/boyfriends, partners, and those related to the home who want to settle an issue such as infidelity, abuse, theft, etc. Military personel whose behaviors are in question Those accused of any type of abuse, especially against a child Individuals involved in custody battles Insurance companies seeking to settle issues of fraud Competitors that may be involved with competitions such as Fishing and Bodybuilding Post-covicted sex offenders, generally in coordination with probation and/or treatment Anyone concerned with clearing their name in regards to a past or present issue As one can see, polygraph examinations can be used in many different circumstances and for many different reasons.

After all, people lie to protect themselves all the time, whether at home, the work place, or in various social settings; but lies are not always evident to those on the outside and even though sometimes they are evident, some have a very difficult time admitting the truth. In addition, at times one may be suspected of a lie but he/she may in fact be telling the truth; in that situation the polygraph test may be very instrumental is clearing one of guilt or simply confirming the truth. It is important to understand that polygraph examinations should and will only take place as long as the client consents to participate. Polygraph is a very effective tool in verifying truth but it can only be used when one voluntarily agrees to participate. For additional questions about polygraph examinations and Polygraph and Assessment Services, Contact Us . For more general information about the field of polygraph, visit the American Polygraph Association website.

Question: A polygraph is more commonly known by what name?
Answer: Lie detector